6 Ways to Become a Good Developer

Posted: October 21, 2016

A lot of young people nowadays are starting to be curious about programming. Becoming a real developer is not easy but very possible. With the right guidance, motivation and direction, you’ll be able to build a career just like the tech professionals out there. You can even start your own tech company just by discovering new ways to make life easier. For now, here are six ways to get you started and ready.

✓ Define Your Objectives

Everything comes with an end goal. You start something because you want something. So figure out what you want to create and what ideas you want to pursue. Do you want to build websites? How about an app? Perhaps, you want to create the next big thing to help the community or maybe you want to build something that you personally need. Whatever it is, you need to be clear on what exactly you want to achieve. This will serve as your map and motivation for you to be on track and finish what you’ve started.

✓ Learn To Code

To be a good developer, you need to fully recognize which tools to use, understand Git, how to deploy and use shell commands, and everything in between. There are various resources online and you can now learn how to code at any place, at any time. However, if you want to take your learning to the next level, you need to enroll in one of the top colleges in the Philippines.This can help you see things in a new perspective compared to learning things online. At the same time, you’ll have different activities, peers and professors that will challenge and hone your skills further.

✓ Don’t Be Afraid To Ask For Help

No man is an island and no project is flawless. Don’t be afraid to ask for help when you need to. Web developers always encounter bugs and other difficulties. That’s why it’s great to keep your community wide so you can ask other people to help you out. You may never know that the problem that takes you hours to figure out can be solved within minutes if you ask for a hand. Seeking for help is not a sign of weakness. Even the best developers out there experience these and ask their team’s help. Just remember to learn from those experiences in order to grow.

✓ Discover, Copy, Practice

Like a painter or an illustrator, you can develop your skill by practicing. But how do you start? One way to practice is to copy. Replicate the things you find amazing, like cool websites. View its source code and add it to your own. Try to understand how it works, what it does and the things that you could add to improve it.

✓ Make Your Own

Once you think you’re ready to execute an idea, go for it. There will be trials and errors but it’s going to be worth it. Have some inspiration and make your own website, app or whatever you have in mind.

✓ Showcase Your Work

When you’re looking for a job, diplomas and certificates matter but with hundreds of applicants, you need something that will make you stand out above the rest. Portfolios are not optional anymore, it’s a must. Build your portfolio early. Gather your best works and show them during job interviews.

The best way to have a portfolio is by building it online by creating your own website and by linking it to your social media accounts. Always update it and don’t forget to ask for help and opinions from your professors and people you trust.

Tip: Volunteer in some activities such as building your school department’s website or create a website for a specific organization and pitch it to them. It will be great if what you present in your portfolio actually exists and currently being used. Also, learn to accept criticisms from others. Take those comments positively to further improve your work.

Keep in mind that in order to be successful, you need to be more curious. Never settle for just knowing the basics. In short, don’t be stuck in the shallow, get your game on and swim deep.